Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court rejected the pleas filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) on Tuesday. These pleas contested a civil suit aiming to restore a temple at the location adjacent to Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque, managed by AIMC. Justice Agarwal emphasized the national importance of the suit while dismissing the petitions.
The decision followed the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) submission of a sealed report on the scientific survey of the mosque in the Varanasi district court on Monday. Hindu groups argue for the return of the land, claiming the mosque was constructed after demolishing an ancient temple. Muslim groups cite the 1991 Places of Worship Act, asserting that it bars such pleas, and some of these issues are also pending in the Supreme Court.
Justice Agarwal deemed the suit filed in the Varanasi court maintainable and not in violation of the 1991 law. He instructed that the suit be resolved preferably within six months, emphasizing no unnecessary adjournments.
Referring to the ASI’s report, the court suggested that the lower court may direct another survey if necessary. On December 8, the high court had reserved judgment on petitions challenging the suit’s maintainability. The Varanasi court is handling petitions from Hindu groups seeking worshipping rights inside the mosque premises.
The ASI’s recent survey was the second contentious examination at the premises, with the Muslim side asserting the structure claimed to be a Shivling was part of a ritual ablution fountain. The Varanasi court had directed ASI to conduct a comprehensive survey in July, which resumed on August 4 after the Allahabad High Court vacated a stay.
Additionally, the Allahabad High Court recently permitted a survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque near Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple.
